The NFL playoff image is entering focal point, however plethora of questions stay. Actually, the Pace 17 NFL Energy Ratings have a query for each and every crew. In the meantime, the contenders for the lead seed within the AFC are creation to proceed up the ratings generation the lead groups within the NFC are appearing some cracks.
1. Buffalo Expenses (12-3)
Extreme past: 2
Sunday: Beat Unutilized England Patriots 24-21
The huge query: Is the protection just right plethora?
The Expenses have give up a mean of 35.7 issues within the endmost 3 video games. Unutilized England won 379 yards and took an early 14-0 manage Sunday prior to operating again James Cook dinner introduced Buffalo again. He used to be the Expenses’ chief rusher (100 yards) and receiver (26 yards). For the season, Buffalo is eleventh in scoring protection (22.1 ppg allowed) however 18th in defensive EPA (minus-.3 in step with 100 snaps), in keeping with TruMedia.
Up nearest: vs. Unutilized York Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
2. Detroit Lions (13-2)
Extreme past: 3
Sunday: Beat Chicago Bears 34-17
The huge query: Are there plethora gamers left?
The Lions’ injured stock record is ridiculous — Aidan Hutchinson, Alex Anzalone, Marcus Davenport, Carlton Davis III, Alim McNeill, Malcolm Rodriguez and Ennis Rakestraw Jr., and that’s now not they all. David Sir Bernard Law residue at the lively roster, however he’s an extended shot to go back on account of a knee trauma. No less than this past, regardless that, it didn’t appear to trouble them as they put 475 yards at the hapless Bears.
Up nearest: at San Francisco 49ers, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
What we discovered in NFL Pace 16: NFC North showdown looms, Giants seeing Negative. 1 pick out
3. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)
Extreme past: 1
Sunday: Misplaced to Washington Commanders 36-33
The huge query: Is a cliff coming?
This crew appeared admirable via Pace 15, however after quarterback Jalen Hurts were given knocked out of Sunday’s sport with a concussion and the Commanders erased a 13-point manage within the fourth quarter. This is similar crew that misplaced six of its endmost seven endmost season. Neatly, now not precisely the similar crew. That one didn’t have Saquon Barkley, and he pressed for time for 150 yards towards Washington and is handiest 162 clear of 2,000 for the season.
Up nearest: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Chiefs rookie extensive receiver Xavier Valuable has 8 touchdowns this season, together with one receiving and one dashing on Saturday towards the Texans. (Jay Biggerstaff / Imagn Photographs)
4. Kansas Town Chiefs (14-1)
Extreme past: 6
Saturday: Beat Houston Texans 27-19
The huge query: Is Xavier Valuable able?
The rookie extensive receiver has been centered 11 occasions in each and every of the endmost two weeks and has replied with 13 catches for 111 yards and a landing. It’s like Andy Reid is telling him the playoffs are coming. With extensive receiver Hollywood Brown making his Kansas Town debut Saturday, Valuable had a season-high seven catches. If Valuable can turn out to be a real Negative. 1 choice, the three-peat is totally at the desk for the Chiefs.
Up nearest: at Pittsburgh Steelers, Wednesday, 1 p.m. ET
5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
Extreme past: 5
Sunday: Beat Seattle Seahawks 27-24
The huge query: Is Sam Darnold shutting everybody up?
We’re operating out of causes to write down off the Vikings, who’ve clinched a playoff spot and nonetheless may just earn the lead seed within the NFC. The anti-Minnesota other people are nonetheless retaining out hope Sam Darnold will turn out to be a pumpkin, however he’s fourth within the league in passer ranking (105.4) and 5th in landing passes (32). In opposition to the Seahawks, he threw 3 landing passes and located Justin Jefferson 10 occasions for 144 yards.
Up nearest: vs. Inexperienced Bay Packers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
The Vikings stunned the NFL. Right here’s how insiders would clear up the Darnold quandary: Sando’s Select Six
6. Inexperienced Bay Packers (11-4)
Extreme past: 4
Monday: Beat Unutilized Orleans Saints 34-0
The huge query: Has Jordan Love mounted his largest flaw?
Via Pace 11, the Packers quarterback used to be fasten for probably the most interceptions within the league with 11, however Monday night time marked his 5th directly sport with out an interception. That’s the longest he’s long past all over his occupation as a starter, and if he helps to keep it up, Inexperienced Bay might be as unhealthy as someone within the postseason. The Packers had outgained the Saints by means of greater than 200 yards prior to pulling Love within the fourth quarter.
Up nearest: at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
7. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
Extreme past: 8
Saturday: Beat Pittsburgh Steelers 34-17
The huge query: Can Lamar Jackson be successful within the playoffs?
Since 2018 when Lamar Jackson used to be drafted, he’s 8th within the NFL in anticipated issues added in step with dropback (.13), and he has received two MVP awards. Within the playoffs since 2018, he’s thirty second in EPA in step with dropback (minus-.06) and has a 2-4 listing. If Jackson can shake that historical past and Baltimore can play games find it irresistible did Saturday in thumping the Steelers, Baltimore has as just right a prospect as any crew to boost the Lombardi Trophy.
Up nearest: at Houston Texans, Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. ET
8. Washington Commanders (10-5)
Extreme past: 10
Sunday: Beat Philadelphia Eagles 36-33
The huge query: Can they book on?
Sunday’s win helped a dozen. The Commanders stepped forward to 10-5 for the primary moment since 1991 and still have a 94 % prospect to put together the playoffs. Jayden Daniels led Washington in dashing with 81 yards and threw 5 landing passes towards the Eagles. He’s 6th within the NFL in myth issues this yr and has extra passing yards, passing touchdowns and dashing yards than Jalen Hurts.
Up nearest: vs. Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
NFL Pace 16 takeaways: Must Niners nonetheless pay Purdy? Did Jayden Daniels clinch Rookie of the Generation?
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)
Extreme past: 7
Saturday: Misplaced to Baltimore Ravens 34-17
The huge query: The place’s the run sport?
When Pittsburgh rented Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator, obtained Russell Wilson and Justin Boxes to play games quarterback and drafted 3 offensive linemen within the first 4 rounds, huge issues had been predicted for the run sport. The Steelers try. They’re moment in makes an attempt (479) however nearest to endmost in yards in step with elevate (3.9), and their offense turns out depending on whether or not extensive receiver George Pickens performs or now not. He didn’t on Saturday.
Up nearest: vs. Kansas Town Chiefs, Wednesday, 1 p.m. ET
10. Denver Broncos (9-6)
Extreme past: 9
Thursday: Misplaced to Los Angeles Chargers 34-27
The huge query: Is the protection reputable?
A Chargers crew this is nineteenth in scoring (21.9 ppg) submit 355 yards for the sport and 21 issues in the second one part towards the Broncos protection. Denver is fourth within the league in scoring protection (18.7 ppg allowed) however has give up greater than 30 in two of its endmost 3 video games. The Broncos can clinch a playoff spot by means of profitable both in their endmost two video games, however the ones are towards the Bengals and Chiefs.
Up nearest: at Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
The Rams’ Jared Verse celebrates a fumble healing on Sunday. He and fellow rookie Braden Fiske have helped put the Rams within the driving force’s seat within the NFC West. (Emilee Chinn / Getty Photographs)
11. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
Extreme past: 12
Sunday: Beat Unutilized York Jets 19-9
The huge query: Which rookie defender is healthier?
It seems that drafting Florida Order teammates used to be greater than a exposure stunt. The Rams took linebacker Jared Verse and defensive finish Braden Fiske within the first two rounds, and they’re each within the lead 20 in quarterback hurries this season. Verse is 3rd with 48, and Fiske is seventeenth with 36. Each also are within the lead 10 in NFL historical past for quarterback hurries via a participant’s first 15 video games.
Up nearest: vs. Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET
12. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
Extreme past: 15
Thursday: Beat Denver Broncos 34-27
The huge query: How just right is Justin Herbert?
This debate would possibly by no means finish. Herbert is in in his 5th yr. He’s again above .500 within the steady season as a starter nearest Thursday night time’s win (39-38), however up to brandnew head professor Jim Harbaugh talks about him like he’s John Elway, Herbert is center of the gather statistically (sixteenth in EPA in step with dropback, .05) this season. That tracks along with his whole occupation. The Negative. 6 select from 2020 is 14th (.10) since becoming a member of the league, in keeping with TruMedia.
Up nearest: at Unutilized England Patriots, Saturday, 1 p.m. ET
13. Houston Texans (9-6)
Extreme past: 13
Saturday: Misplaced to Kansas Town Chiefs 27-19
The huge query: What’s up with the offense?
The Texans are endmost within the NFL in good fortune price, with handiest 40 % in their performs gaining plethora yards to hold them transferring towards first downs. Because of this, their reasonable yards to achieve on 3rd i’m sick (7.93) is the very best within the league. 2d-year quarterback C.J. Stroud hasn’t been just right plethora to get them out of it. He’s twenty fifth in EPA in step with dropback (minus-.01) nearest being 6th as a rookie (.11), in keeping with TruMedia. Accidents are an element, and can proceed to be nearest Tank Dell went i’m sick, however this offense will have to be higher.
Up nearest: vs. Baltimore Ravens, Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. ET
14. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)
Extreme past: 16
Sunday: Beat Cleveland Browns 24-6
The huge query: Will they carry again Tee Higgins?
Cincinnati held its collective breath generation Higgins laid at the turf with an ankle trauma Sunday, however the Bengals’ Negative. 2 extensive receiver seems to be advantageous. Higgins is liked by means of Cincy and now not simply because he’s fourth within the AFC in receiving yards in step with sport (72.7). He gave a hilarious (however expletive-filled) breakdown of his quarterback’s efficiency within the storehouse room Sunday, calling Joe Burrow “Superman,” and Burrow loves Higgins, too. That doesn’t exchange the truth he’s enjoying at the franchise tag this yr and might be pricey to re-sign.
Up nearest: vs. Denver Broncos, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
Extreme past: 11
Sunday: Misplaced to Dallas Cowboys 26-24
The huge query: How lengthy can Baker Mayfield do that?
The 29-year-old is within the first yr of a three-year extension with the Buccaneers that will pay him a mean of $33 million in step with yr. He’s in his 7th yr and has the most productive EPA in step with dropback (.13), passer ranking (103.5) and yards in step with effort (7.7) of his occupation. Mayfield is on his fourth crew however looks as if he has discovered a house in Tampa Bay. It’s moment to prevent pondering of him as a stopgap.
Up nearest: vs. Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Pace 16 NFL playoff image: Lions, Chiefs last in on lead seeds; Packers clinch playoff berth
16. Dallas Cowboys (7-8)
Extreme past: 19
Sunday: Beat Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-24
The huge query: Will Mike McCarthy go back?
The Cowboys head professor is making a robust case for his task safety i’m sick the stretch. Dallas has received 4 of its endmost 5 generation creation spare Cooper Hurry at quarterback. Dallas used to be eradicated from the playoffs prior to Sunday night time’s win over Tampa however nonetheless received a shootout with probably the most league’s freshest groups. Since Pace 12, the Cowboys are eleventh in scoring (27.4) and level differential (plus-26).
Up nearest: at Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Jerry Jones and Mike McCarthy within the storehouse room nearest this night’s win pic.twitter.com/zPfti4P31i
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 23, 2024
17. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
Extreme past: 14
Sunday: Misplaced to Minnesota Vikings 27-24
The huge query: Why aren’t we speaking extra about Jaxon Smith-Njigba?
Seattle’s second-year extensive receiver is 5th within the league with 1,089 yards and has obviously surpassed DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett as Geno Smith’s favourite goal. Smith-Njigba had 8 catches, 95 yards and a landing towards the Vikings on Sunday.
Up nearest: at Chicago Bears, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
18. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
Extreme past: 18
Sunday: Beat Unutilized York Giants 34-7
The huge query: What’s nearest for Kirk Cousins?
Cousins watched Sunday as rookie Michael Penix Jr. began and performed neatly plethora that it’s most certainly not really Cousins will go back to the Falcons’ creation task. The 13-year veteran is within the first yr of a four-year offer that might be very pricey for Atlanta to withdraw from this offseason ($65 million lifeless cap accident). The Falcons may just commerce Cousins, however they’d need to discover a spouse he’s keen to play games for as a result of he has a no-trade clause. They might hold him as a $45 million spare nearest yr, however who in reality believes that’s getting to occur?
Up nearest: at Washington Commanders, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
19. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
Extreme past: 22
Sunday: Beat Tennessee Titans 38-30
The huge query: What to do with Anthony Richardson?
The second one-year quarterback pressed for time for 70 yards however threw handiest 11 passes Sunday. Perhaps that’s the proper system for this crew. The Colts’ 38 issues had been their maximum this season because of Jonathan Taylor’s 218 yards at the garden, however is it sustainable? Richardson, who’s in the second one yr of his rookie offer, is endmost amongst qualifying quarterbacks in passer ranking (61.6) and of completion proportion (47.7 %) and fasten for fourth in interceptions (12) in spite of being thirty third in makes an attempt (264), in keeping with TruMedia. He doesn’t acquire plethora at the garden (45.4 in step with sport, 3rd within the league) to put together up for that.
Up nearest: at Unutilized York Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
20. Miami Dolphins (7-8)
Extreme past: 20
Sunday: Beat San Francisco 49ers 29-17
The huge query: Is Mike McDaniel the proper man?
The Dolphins nonetheless have a 12 % prospect of constructing the playoffs, however Calais Campbell used to be within the storehouse room Sunday explaining how he may well be spared to signal with a contender as soon as the postseason removing turns into legitimate. “It’s definitely something you think about,” Campbell stated. The Dolphins have performed in two playoff video games below McDaniel — each Tremendous Wild Card Weekend losses — and they’re 6-9 below him in December and January regular-season video games even nearest Sunday’s win.
Up nearest: at Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
Calais Campbell stated he would by no means are living with any be apologetic about over now not taking the prospect to get traded from the Dolphins on the closing date.
However he did say it’s imaginable, if Miami is eradicated, to have some dialog about getting waived prior to season’s finish to completed somewhere else. pic.twitter.com/fYlccxr2Ng
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) December 18, 2024
21. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)
Extreme past: 17
Sunday: Misplaced to Carolina Panthers 36-30
The huge query: Is that this Kyler Murray’s ceiling?
Murray is the Tenth-highest-paid quarterback within the league ($46.1 million in step with yr). For that, the Cardinals, who had been eradicated from playoff rivalry Sunday, have got one playoff sport in six years. In that sport, he finished 55.9 % of his passes for 137 yards and two interceptions. He’s sixteenth in passer ranking this season (92.6), and he has 9 interceptions as opposed to 16 landing passes.
Up nearest: at Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET
22. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)
Extreme past: 21
Sunday: Misplaced to Miami Dolphins 29-17
The huge query: Is that this a blip?
Then 3 consecutive journeys to a minimum of the convention championship sport, San Francisco is assured a dropping season nearest Sunday’s loss. If Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk go back at complete energy nearest yr and the 49ers get a offer accomplished with Brock Purdy, San Francisco may well be proper again within the fray nearest season. Or the wear and tear and tear of holding this factor going the endmost 3 years may have impaired this franchise i’m sick. The 49ers have misplaced 5 of six.
Up nearest: vs. Detroit Lions, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Accidents, mistakes and overlooked kicks: 49ers’ loss to Dolphins sums up their season
23. Carolina Panthers (4-11)
Extreme past: 27
Sunday: Beat Arizona Cardinals 36-30
The huge query: Must Bryce Younger go back?
Since Pace 12, Younger is seventeenth in EPA in step with dropback (.06). That’s now not admirable, however let’s evaluate it to the 2 video games this yr prior to he were given benched: thirty second at minus-.44. Younger handed for 158 yards, two touchdowns Sunday and had a 107.5 passer ranking, the second one very best of his occupation. Younger is handiest midway via his rookie offer and if the Panthers come to a decision to stay with him, they may be able to importance what’s now the Negative. 7 pick out within the draft to assistance a porous protection.
Up nearest: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
24. Unutilized York Jets (4-11)
Extreme past: 24
Sunday: Misplaced to Los Angeles Rams 19-9
The huge query: Will Aaron Rodgers go back?
Rodgers stated this nearest Sunday’s loss, which used to be the Jets’ 5th in six video games: “Your perspective informs your truth and your truth makes your reality. The reality of the situation is what it is, but your perception you can change every day. … The last two weeks we can really see who is on board moving forward and who is ready to get out.” Any one have any clue what this implies? Neither will we. Keep tuned.
Up nearest: at Buffalo Expenses, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
“The last two weeks we can really see who’s on board moving forward and who is ready to get out.”
– Aaron Rodgers pic.twitter.com/fH4iU5Imy4
— Jets Movies (@snyjets) December 22, 2024
25. Chicago Bears (4-11)
Extreme past: 25
Sunday: Misplaced to Detroit Lions 34-17
The huge query: Is Caleb Williams seeking to woo Ben Johnson?
In two video games towards Detroit this yr, the Bears rookie quarterback has handed for 590 yards, 5 touchdowns and run for 73 yards. He additionally has misplaced each video games since the Bears are the Bears, and so they’ve now misplaced 9 directly. Johnson, the Lions’ offensive coordinator and probably the most league’s lead head training potentialities, needs to be pondering he may just paintings with that.
Up nearest: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
What Caleb Williams’ big-time throws heartless in any other unsightly Bears loss
26. Unutilized Orleans Saints (5-10)
Extreme past: 23
Monday: Misplaced to Inexperienced Bay Packers 34-0
The huge query: When will they pay the expenses?
The Saints already are projected to be an NFL-worst $63 million over the 2025 wage cap. This isn’t a brandnew construction in Unutilized Orleans the place the Saints were pushing their prices into the time for years now. The method made sense when the crew used to be aggressive, however they haven’t received greater than 9 video games in a season since 2020, and so they aren’t converting that this yr.
Up nearest: vs. Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
27. Unutilized England Patriots (3-12)
Extreme past: 28
Sunday: Misplaced to Buffalo Expenses 24-21
The huge query: Can Drake Maye flip the web page?
Let’s be truthful, the Patriots are having a difficult moment transferring on from the Tom Brady-Invoice Belichick while. The fan bottom has rarely embraced first-year head professor Jerod Mayo. However a minimum of there’s Maye. The Negative. 3 pick out handed for 261 yards, ran for 30 and had Unutilized England up 14-0 early. If Maye can trim i’m sick on his interceptions (he has 10 this yr), he may have a distinct moment season and the Patriots can get on with their lives.
Up nearest: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, 1 p.m. ET
28. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)
Extreme past: 31
Sunday: Beat Jacksonville Jaguars 19-14
The huge query: How a lot is Tom Brady concerned?
Brady’s minority possession is costing him the facility to correctly get ready for his brandnew task as a FOX colour analyst as a result of he’s now not allowed into manufacturing conferences with alternative groups, however we don’t know the way a lot it’s getting to assistance the Raiders. Las Vegas is predicted to be hiring a head professor and drafting a quarterback this offseason. The ones are grounds Brady is undoubtedly to really feel strongly about, however we don’t know but how a lot affect he’s going to have. The Raiders dropped to 6th within the draft with Sunday’s win.
Up nearest: at Unutilized Orleans Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
29. Cleveland Browns (3-12)
Extreme past: 26
Sunday: Misplaced to Cincinnati Bengals 24-6
The huge query: What to do at quarterback?
The Browns benched Jameis Winston and began Dorian Thompson-Robinson on Sunday. It didn’t assistance. Deshaun Watson, who continues to be financially fasten to the crew tighter than any participant in NFL historical past for the nearest two years, might be getting back from an Achilles trauma within the offseason, however there’s a query about whether or not the Browns need him again. Myles Garrett didn’t essentially pitch find it irresistible this past and needed to travel again the ones feedback Sunday. “I’m hoping he’s ready when the season comes, but that’s a tough injury to come back from,” Garrett stated. “He’s been a hell of a teammate.”
Up nearest: vs. Miami Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)
Extreme past: 29
Sunday: Misplaced to Las Vegas Raiders 19-14
The huge query: May just this be the place Ben Johnson lands?
Everybody desires to hyperlink the Lions offensive coordinator to the Bears task (together with us above), however becoming a member of a section with Detroit, Inexperienced Bay and Minnesota will not be the most productive occupation proceed. The Jaguars may just deal Trevor Lawrence and a place within the AFC South. In addition they have the Negative. 3 pick out presently nearest dropping to the Raiders.
Up nearest: vs. Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
31. Tennessee Titans (3-12)
Extreme past: 30
Sunday: Misplaced to Indianapolis Colts 38-30
The huge query: Did they hold the proper govt?
Tennessee selected common supervisor Ran Carthon over head professor Mike Vrabel within the offseason. Carthon’s largest offseason strikes had been hiring Brian Callahan and signing Calvin Ridley (twenty fifth in receiving, 857 yards) and Tony Pollard (eleventh in dashing with 1,015 yards, 619 yards not up to the operating again Tennessee reduce, Derrick Henry). In the meantime, Vrabel might be some of the sought-after coaches this offseason.
Up nearest: at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
32. Unutilized York Giants (2-13)
Extreme past: 32
Sunday: Misplaced to Atlanta Falcons 34-7
The huge query: Must Brian Daboll or Joe Schoen go back?
In October, Giants proprietor John Mara stated he didn’t plan to fireplace his head professor or common supervisor. The Giants had been 2-5 after. They’re 2-13 now and feature misplaced a franchise-record 10 directly video games. That’s moderately a feat for a crew that began enjoying soccer in 1925. The Giants weren’t aggressive Sunday towards a rookie quarterback making his first occupation get started (Michael Penix Jr.) and the Falcons, and are thirty first within the NFL in level differential (minus-147).
Up nearest: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(Manage picture of James Cook dinner: Timothy T Ludwig / Getty Photographs)
